Related articles

These are often followed by a rash, generally beginning on the face before spreading to other parts of the body.

It develops into liquid-filled pustules which harden to scabs.

Dr Michael Jacobs, clinical director of infection at the Royal Free, said: “Monkeypox is, in most cases, a mild condition which will resolve on its own and have no long-term effects on a person’s health.

“Most people recover within several weeks.”

In Central and West Africa, where most outbreaks have occurred, humans generally contract the virus through contact with rodents and primates.

Monkeypox virus causes fever and headaches (Image: GETTY )

When it is contracted from another human it is through prolonged close contact.

Dr Nick Phin, deputy director of Public Health England’s National Infection Service, said: “It is important to emphasise that monkeypox does not spread easily between people and the overall risk to the general public is very low.

“PHE and the NHS have well established and robust infection control procedures for dealing with cases of imported infectious disease and these will be strictly followed to minimise the risk.”

Public Health England has said that unless people in close proximity to the infected patient have been contacted, there is no cause for concern.

Monkeypox was first discovered in humans in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Since then most outbreaks have been in rural regions of the Congo basin and West Africa. In 2003 the first cases outside Africa were confirmed in the US.

In all 37 people were affected. It is thought to have been spread through an infected group of prairie dogs sold as pets.

The single biggest outbreak was recorded in Nigeria last year, with a total of 146 suspected cases. There are no specific treatments or vaccines.